Way back in the 1970's I was big into Canadian coins from ages 10-14 or so. It fell to the wayside when I bought a computer in 1980, the coins have been in boxes all these years. My parents are moving and they found a small box with some of my coins in there that I must have left there back in 1984. Going through it seems to have re-ignited some of that old passion. It's really quite a lot of fun!

Anyhow, I was putting that box's contents together with what I have at my house and an old mystery resurfaced. I have a dime that I remember finding in my mom's loose change that has the year "196". I suspect it's 1968 as it's made from nickel, not silver, and the 196 match a regular 1968 dime, the 1969s have a different font (if that is the correct term, sorry, it's been decades and I'm getting back to speed)

Back then I had no idea what it was and even two local coin shops didn't have an answer. Today we have internet and it seems to be a 'filled die' error. The neat thing is even under a microscope, there's no hint of a last digit that my untrained eye can see.

Terry Mitchner wrote:Just replying as a welcome to the community. As for the coin . . . no answer, sorry.

Thanks for the welcome!

I'm not planning on selling any of my quaint collection, it's just fun to see how much an old quarter I paid $1.50 for in 1975 in worth today. Or my mint $100 gold Olympic coin from the 1976 Olympics, etc. This one dime is still mostly a mystery for me.

Terry Mitchner wrote:if it is 1968.First it is Ottawa mintage not Philadelphia.Is it magnetic? None magnetic means it is the silver one.

I narrowed it down to being 1968-1969 many years ago as it is magnetic Only recently when I pulled it out of storage did I notice the different number forms between '68 and '69, I'm almost positive it's 1968 based on the differences in the 6 between the two years.

Was wondering if it's truly a 'filled die' error or something else. I found a post here from 2012 in which the author describes the same type of coin.

Your missing digit is a filled die error. Generally, missing digits or mint marks on modern coins are due to filled die errors where dirt, grease or debris fills the recesses of a die not allowing the number or mark to strike up. The metal from the blank can’t flow into that area to receive the impression. This problem usually only lasts for one or two coins until the foreign material falls out of the die.

The coin would be valuable if the die that struck the coin was missing the date digit or a mint mark. That means that others would exist creating a new variety, not unlike a doubled die, where the flaw is in the die and every coin struck from that die shows the same error.

Filled die errors are common and inconsistent and add no value to the coin unless the filled die error is severe.

Your missing digit is a filled die error. Generally, missing digits or mint marks on modern coins are due to filled die errors where dirt, grease or debris fills the recesses of a die not allowing the number or mark to strike up. The metal from the blank can’t flow into that area to receive the impression. This problem usually only lasts for one or two coins until the foreign material falls out of the die.

The coin would be valuable if the die that struck the coin was missing the date digit or a mint mark. That means that others would exist creating a new variety, not unlike a doubled die, where the flaw is in the die and every coin struck from that die shows the same error.

Filled die errors are common and inconsistent and add no value to the coin unless the filled die error is severe.

Thanks. Yes seems we found that same page as well (or one that reads like it). I figured it was worth as much as a normal dime, the complete absence of the last digit is what always intrigued me. Still a keeper to show off a nice filled die error.